ALL OF ME (1984)

Humanity has pondered over the duality of man for centuries, most notably the idea that human nature comprises two contradictory parts with the capacity for both good and evil. It’s a daunting subject, so why not get a laugh out of it? This is exactly what director Carl Reiner and actor Steve Martin have done in their fourth and final collaboration, All of Me – which is available now on Blu-ray from Umbrella Entertainment.

After a life of chronic illness, dying millionaire Edwina Cutwater (Lily Tomlin) has arranged to have her soul transferred into the daughter of her elderly groundskeeper. However, a slight misdirection during the ceremony lands Edwina in the body of lawyer, Roger Cobb (Steve Martin).

All of Me was the first Hollywood feature released in my lifetime. I’ve always been curious to see it for that reason, and while 1984 was a major year for movies, with the likes of The Terminator, Gremlins and A Nightmare on Elm Street, just to name a few, I’m happy to latch onto this nice little comedy as my cinematic birthstone if you will.

At the height of his fame, Martin is performing for two, as his literal left side is under the control of the spiritual interloper, which makes for the bulk of the film’s comedy. The switch between Roger and Cutwater occurs hilariously with every step, and Roger’s effort to resist often results in embarrassment and awkward interactions. Maybe this is too deep a thought, but perhaps it’s a visual commentary on men resisting their feminine side and the stigma that comes from embracing it. Either way, the film’s novelty works, and despite Tomlin being given less screen time than Martin, she brings a touch of class, even through her male co-star’s mannerisms. However, the two are cleverly able to interact through reflective surfaces; interestingly, the same idea that’s used in the TV series Quantum Leap a few years later.

Naturally, we have the typical Carl Reiner racial stereotype, this time in the form of a nondescript Asian shaman, who’s the one responsible for the afterlife mishap. His contribution is that classic foreigner trait of only being able to remember and repeat one English word at a time. This unflattering caricature does cheapen the film to a degree, which, for the most part, is held to a relatively sophisticated standard thanks to Steve Martin’s signature physical comedic style and Lily Tomlin’s sharp wit. In defence of Reiner, his comedies have never felt mean-spirited; they’re just unfiltered, and All of Me would easily be his most family-friendly or most accessible.

SPECIAL FEATURES

NEW! Audio Commentary with podcasters, writers and film analyst,s the Wives Colangelo
NEW! Interview with Actor Victoria Tennant
NEW! The Odd Couple – Journalist David Michael Brown on Steve Martin & Carl Reiner’s Funny Friendship
Trailer

Umbrella unleashes a spate of new special features for this release of All of M,e including an interview with one of the film’s leading ladies, Victoria Tennant. Running a little over 20 minutes, the sit-down with the English actress is informative and candid, and certainly a treat considering her close relationship with those who worked behind the scenes on the film. For a brief and engaging overview of Steve Martin & Carl Reiner’s collaborative relationship, be sure to check out David Michael Brown’s video essay entitled The Odd Couple, and you’ll be adding some titles to your watchlist for sure! Providing a commentary in the truest sense of the word, the Wives Colangelo prove to be warm and engaging hosts for the only track on this disc. A nice deviation from trivia and/or analysis-heavy commentaries usually heard on Blu-ray, the podcasting/writing duo offers modern, amusing, and often insightful observations for this classic. – by Hannah Lynch

VIDEO AND AUDIO

Technically, this Blu-ray is presented in 1080p, but the 1.85:1 image itself does fall a little short of what’s expected from full HD, mainly due to a noticeable lack of sharpness and brightness. Colours fare a little better, but appear unsaturated at times and never really “pop”, even during outdoor scenes in daylight. Thankfully, a solid 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio track offers solid volume and balanced sound. English subtitles are included, and the disc is Region B encoded.

All of Me is also available via a Collector’s Edition, which is a little pricier at $75 AUD but comes with a few physical extras such as a rigid hardcase, an A3 poster, and a 48-page booklet of new essays about the film.

ALL OF ME
(1984, director: Carl Reiner)